C-1 Center Console Replacement

[Joe Maulsby]

Has anyone replaced the fiberglass console piece on a 58-60? If so, how is the old one cut out so the new one can be re-glassed to the underside of the dash? How does the bottom attach to the tunnel (I haven't pulled back the carpet yet)? I can't even see a metal bracket on the back (bottom) of the console piece, just a large mass of resin. The AIM shows a bracket.

The reason I am considering a replacement is the original console has a horizontal crack from one side to the other, where the radio was not supported and the weight of the radio cracked it. The other reason I am considering replacement is the new console piece I already purchased (in haste!)sitting here in front of me. The backside of the crack has been re-glassed, but the front has not been worked on. The top half of the crack sticks out slightly from the lower half. If I decided to just repair the exterior side of the crack, would I need to re-glass over it and sand smooth or just fill crack with bondo, epoxy, or resin and sand smooth? I have 30 days to send the new console back to CC. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated.

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C-1 Center Console Replacement

If I were faced with that situation, I believe I would just fix the existing piece. It will be less difficult to repair than it will be to remove and replace the old console. If the pieces aren't lined up properly, you wil have to grind out the old glass in the backand properly align them. You can attach a coiple of pieces of flatbar to the rear with screws to hold the pieces in alignment. Then grind out a V where the crack is and fill with fiberglass mat (small pieces) and resin. Once this has been ground down to level, you will need to add a thin layer of either body filler or resin to fill pinholes and to smoothe the surface.
Removing and replacing the console requires a lot more effort in my estimation.

[bob downs]

Re: C-1 Center Console Replacement

ed's right. unless your piece is destroyed beyond repair i would fix it. if you decide to take it out you will need to remove the dash pad, all heater controls, radio, speaker, get wireing out of the way, pull carpet. after that comes the fun part. while your wife is holding the shop vac hose you can start grinding. yes, there will be fiberglass dust everywhere. i have been there. enjoy

[Mike G.]

I agree with Ed and Bob *NM*

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: Repair the old console

Thanks for the information and helping me make the right decision. I will ship the new one back and fix the old one.

[Mike G.]

Oh, just because you take our advice

doesn't mean you're making the RIGHT decision! Ed and Bob probably know what they're doing, but I know for a fact that the other guy has made some real bonehead mistakes!

[Dennis A.]

Re: Oh, just because you take our advice

I would recommend repairing also, unless you are doing a strip-down of the interior or complete car. The replacement of the console is quite easy if you have access thru the radio speaker hole. I found that the bonding in the C-1's is brittle from old age and can be chipped out using a shape wood chisel.

[bob downs]

Re: how bad is it ???????

you never told us just how bad of shape it is in?

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: Didn't listen to advice

After looking at the old console more carefully, I noticed that the glass around both radio knob holes was completely broken all the way around. Ten minutes later, the old console was out of the car! Had to saw it at the top since the console was apparently part of the dash piece (couldn't find any glass patches between console and dash piece). The big challenge will be getting it to fit to the dash piece before re-glassing the seam. I have a way to go, but it looks doable.

[Joe Maulsby]

Re: It was in bad shape

The glass around both radio knob holes was completely broken out. The old console was removed last night; now in the process of fitting the new one into the base of the dash and re-glassing the seam. The wood chisel worked great for removing the old resin/glass buildups.

[Dennis A.]

Re: the metal bracket

Joe,

after reviewing your first message, the metal bracket is a "nut-Plate' that is mounted by two rivets, which a allows the Cowel Vent to be bolted or screwed to on the drivers side. Hopefully your old console has this nut plate or the two rivet holes for location just above the mid-corner.